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Fitzgerald leads the way for auto dealers in the Washington Metropolitan Area when it comes to the environment. We were the first Dealership EPA Green Power Partner in the United States, with 100% of our Maryland dealerships purchasing wind power. In addition, Fitzgerald made a strategic decision to purchase solar panels to generate power on-site at the Germantown facility. www.FitzMall.com
GREEN AND STAYING GREEN IN MONTGOMERY | By Fitzgerald Auto Malls |
Fitzgerald Auto Malls has been a champion of green initiatives before anyone really knew what that meant. We strive to make a positive difference in the local environment, from our recycling efforts in all our dealerships to our newest eco-friendly showroom, That’s the FitzWay. The newest building constructed in Montgomery County in the Fitzgerald family of dealerships is our LEED Gold certified automobile showroom on Middlebrook Road in Germantown. It is the first LEED Gold certified dealership east of the Mississippi River. Fitzgerald leads the way for auto dealers in the Washington Metropolitan Area when it comes to the environment.We were the first Dealership EPA Green Power Partner in the United States, with 100 percent of our Maryland dealerships purchasing wind power. In addition, Fitzgerald made a strategic decision to
The Fitzgerald Auto Malls’ facility in Germantown is LEED Gold certified. On the corner of Middlebrook Road and Amaranth Drive, aluminum composite panels and Low-E curtain wall systems provide the skin for the building.
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purchase solar panels to generate power on-site at the Germantown facility. Fitzgerald created an Environmental Management System that adheres to the ISO 14001 Standard for Quality in the Management of our Environmental impacts.We recycle 81 percent of all waste generated at every facility and have consistently exceeded the Montgomery County goal of 50 percent for over 5 years.
Environmental Aspects
Fitzgerald listens intently to customers and adapts to meet the changing needs of the community. It was a natural choice for Fitzgerald to choose to apply for LEED certification for the Fitzgerald Certified Center in Germantown. More than 25 percent of the building materials were recycled or locally manufactured and harvested. All wood used on the project was obtained from suppliers who practice sustainable forestry and contain no added formaldehyde. Nearly all of the total project
The sales floor emphasizes the daylight and views, allowing the outdoor environment to connect with the interior showroom.
waste was salvaged or recycled. Low VOC paint and sealants, increased ventilation and daylight create a healthy and comfortable workplace. Energy conservation measures include high efficiency, Low-E glass and a curtain wall system to reduce heat gain. There is a highly reflective TPO roof, highly efficient HVAC systems and solar trees for on-site renewable energy generation. The building is designed to use 40 percent less energy than an average building. Visit www.FitzMall.com to learn more about Fitzgerald Auto Malls and our commitment to Not Just Going Green, but Staying Green.
AWARDS
• ABC 2009 Excellence in Construction Award
RATINGS
• U.S. Green Building Council LEED-NC, v2.2 in 2010; Achievement level: Gold (49 points)
With the open floor plan of the main sales desk, employees are able to take advantage of the natural lighting.
Maryland Gone Green!
Table of Contents
The Gazette of Politics and Business, in cooperation with Bethesda Green, is proud to present a special publication highlighting some of Maryland's key businesses that have "gone green" and some of the service providers that can help those who are ready to go green. We received such a positive response from last year’s companies making strategic changes toward sustainability that we felt we would again redo this publication. Our hope is that it might influence our readers to make some important and necessary changes needed to green their business. Bethesda Green has a mission to build a healthy local economy and environmentally sustainable community. We fulfill our mission by sharing resources and inspire others by showcasing local businesses that provide green services and integrate green practices into their business operations. Bethesda Green is partnering with The Gazette of Politics and Business and other business sponsors to accomplish three main goals:
The Universities at Shady Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Fitzgerald Auto Malls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Selecting and Financing Energy Efficient HVAC Systems . . . . . . . .6 Saving Money While Building Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Green Hospitals Make for Healthier Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Maryland Green Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Congressional Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Montgomery County Certified Green Business
Chevy Chase Nissan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Car Charging Sites Proliferate in Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Wind Withers in Maryland General Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Akridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Bethesda Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Montgomery County Certified Green Business
1. Educate the community about sustainability. Bethesda Green raises awareness and inspires action through its programs, online resources and education center located in the heart of downtown Bethesda.
Marriott International, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Montgomery County Certified Green Business
2. Incubate new start-up green businesses. They foster the next generation of green business models and solutions.
Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Division of Solid Waste Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
3. Initiate green projects. They leverage community expertise and assets to improve sustainability in the community.
Green Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 All Eco Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
We believe this special publication will undoubtedly be a valuable tool for you and your company as you learn from other companies’ "green" stories about ways to lower your carbon footprint for a better Maryland. You will notice throughout this publication a Certified Green Business seal appearing in some of the company profiles. These are Montgomery County companies that have been “Green Certified” by the county's Department of Environmental Protection and endorsed by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to working with your business in creating a greener future.
Trina LaPier Associate Publisher The Gazette of Politics & Business
Montgomery County Certified Green Business
Department of Environmental Protection Montgomery County Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 It Takes More Than Green to Differentiate a Business . . . . . . . . . .20 Environmental Cost Efficiencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Benefit Corporations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Fenton Street Market Gives Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
David Feldman Executive Director Bethesda Green
Website Links Residents with Green Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Maryland by the Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Solar Energy World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Published by:
Special Advertising Publication | May 2012
9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 240-864-1558 • www.gazette.net/business
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Publisher: Trina LaPier Advertising Director: Terry Tillman Production Coordinator: Kathleen Castellano Layout: Lorraine Walker/John Schmitz Jr.
This supplement was produced by The Gazette of Politics & Business Advertising Sales Department. Unless otherwise noted, portions of this report were gathered and edited by Karen Finucan Clarkson, kfclarkson@gmail.com. None of the copy was written by The Gazette of Politics & Business editorial staff. All photos were supplied by the specific corporate entity, unless otherwise stated. Cover photo: iStockphoto/grandeduc; headline graphics: iStockphoto/appleuzr
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Selecting and Financing Energy Efficient HVAC Systems With Emphasis on Geothermal, Greenavise Finds Affordable Solutions Scott Friedman’s quest—“to bring geothermal to the masses”—began when he needed to reduce expenses on properties he owned and managed. “As I began my research, I fell down the rabbit hole of sustainability,” says the CEO of Greenavise. “My interest kept growing and growing and growing and before I knew it I was studying…to become a LEED accredited professional.” Having become increasingly convinced of geothermal’s potential to conserve resources—both financial and environmental—Friedman founded Greenavise, a sustainability, consulting and management firm that helps real estate owners implement energy-efficient and renewable-energy projects. Greenavise, since its inception in 2008, has focused “on financing solutions, especially for geothermal, as there currently are few options,” says Friedman. He points to the success of the solar financing market. “A few years ago if you wanted a solar system, you had to take out a home equity line of credit,” says Friedman.Today, “over 50 percent of residential solar arrays are financed through third parties. That has led to a doubling of the number of systems installed. We believe the same thing
holds true for geothermal.” With roughly 1 percent market penetration nationwide, “geothermal is growing at an accelerated rate. We’re looking at approximately 120,000 systems installed a year and that number is expected to grow annually by 10-15 percent,” says Friedman, who hopes Greenavise’s GeoAccess program will help increase those numbers. Traditionally, installation costs— which include underground piping— “have made it cost prohibitive for property owners to go the geothermal route,” notes the Greenavise website (http://greenavise.com). GeoAccess rolls installation costs into a low, fixed monthly payment. The standard 10year contract can be adapted to meet property owners’ needs. Looking down the road, Friedman sees his Gaithersburg-based company becoming one of the nation’s “top geothermal financiers” and a consultant for real estate owners, both large and small. “I believe…that geothermal has more opportunity than solar. Not only can it save you money but it can reduce your impact on the environment,” he says. “And, by using our financing program, you’ll preserve your capital.”
7 Benefits of Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs) • Reduced Energy Consumption GHPs use 25-50 percent less electricity than conventional heating and cooling systems. • Decreased Usage/Emissions According to the EPA, GHPs can reduce energy consumption and corresponding emissions from 44-72 percent, depending on the conventional HVAC system being replaced. • Improved Humidity Control GHPs maintain about 50 percent relative indoor humidity, making them very effective in humid areas. • Design Flexibility GHP systems can be installed in both new and retrofit applications. The hardware requires less space than conventional HVAC systems.
Scott Friedman, co-founder and CEO of Greenavise, touring a geothermal site at Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac.
those parts are sheltered inside a building, they are durable and reliable. The underground piping has a warranty of 25–50 years and heat pumps often last 20+ years.
• Increased Temperature Control GHPs provide excellent "zone" space conditioning, allowing different parts of a home to be heated or cooled to different temperatures.
• Quieter The lack of an outside condensing unit eliminates exterior noise. Building occupants cannot tell that a two-speed GHP system is operating. There are no telltale blasts of cold or hot air.
• More Durable and Reliable GHPs have fewer moving parts. Because
Source: Scott Friedman, CEO and cofounder of Greenavise
Saving Money While Building Community Bethesda Co-op Focuses on Individual and Societal Sustainability
“We’re making it easier and more affordable in these tough economic times for people to become more sustainable and green,” says Mike Kennedy, executive director of Green Savings Coop. Established three years ago, the co-op offers discounts to encourage its members to use local, sustainable goods and service. Green Savings Coop has “assembled a roster of about 32 supplier members in a range of categories—energy audits, weatherization, sustainable supplies— that we have identified as among the best local businesses with the highest customer satisfaction,” says Kennedy. These suppliers agree to offer a discount to the co-op’s individual and business members. As Green Savings Coop continues to add suppliers, “the value of memberships increase.” Individual memberships are $130 for the first year and $30 annually
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thereafter. For the year ending December 2011, the co-op saw the number of individual members grow from 72 to 152 “mostly by word of mouth,” says Kennedy. He is optimistic that a new program—allowing those employed by co-op business members to join at a 77 percent discount—will pay dividends on multiple levels. More members equates to greater savings. “We use our group buying power to negotiate major member discounts from our supplier members,” says Kennedy. As membership grows, so does work for green vendors. The resulting work translates into more jobs, “which contributes to the health of the local economy.” Supplier members are vetted by Kennedy. Major considerations include customer satisfaction and some type of green business certification, such as that offered by Green America. “They have a
very fine screen with questions about green practices, such as whether you buy wind energy, recycle or use LED or CFL lightbulbs,” he says. Monitoring of suppliers continues as long as they remain members. Co-op customer feedback is solicited and highly valued. Business memberships range from $300 ($250 one-time fee and $50 annually) to $1,100 ($1,000 one-time fee and $100 annually). Suppliers may join for $550 ($500 one-time fee and $50 annually). Located in the Bethesda Green Business Incubator, Green Savings Coop is tapping into its membership as it builds a network of green experts and information sources. “Education is essential if we are going to fulfill our mission of getting people to take action and become more sustainable,” says Kennedy.
The co-op brings experts to a variety of community events and offers tips on its website (www.greensavings.coop). People appreciate the advice, he says, noting that the number of co-op Twitter followers has grown from 60 to 461 over the past few months. “Part of what we’re doing is overcoming the urban myth that being a green consumer is more costly,” says Kennedy. “For example, most people don’t realize that even if they’re a Pepco customer their electricity can be wind generated and they won’t have to pay more.” The result of Kennedy’s efforts is the establishment of “a thriving community of like-minded people,” he says. No matter where you are on the green spectrum, Green Savings Coop can help you become more environmentally and financially sustainable.
Green Hospitals Make for Healthier Communities
Initiatives Seek to Reduce Use, Waste, Illness
Given their high consumption of energy, water, chemicals, textiles and food, hospitals present a major opportunity for resource reduction. Maryland hospitals have begun implementing a variety of conservation efforts that are not only saving money but improving the health of employees, patients and the communities they serve. “At MedStar, health doesn’t end when you leave the front door,” says Whitney Austin Gray, director, Building Science Services, MedStar Institute for Innovation. “Our commitment to the Healthy Hospital Initiative (HHI) speaks to the greening of our operations and facility for the benefit of patients and associates in the hospital but goes an additional step to say, ‘How can we make an impact on the community?’” HHI is designed to improve environmental health and sustainability in the health care sector. MedStar and Kaiser Permanente are among 11 health systems participating in the national effort. HHI targets improvements in six areas, including energy and chemical use, waste reduction and healthy foods. Whether or not a member of HHI, Maryland hospitals are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable.
• Energy
Adventist HealthCare’s decision last fall to purchase nearly 15 percent of its electricity in the form of green energy was expected to lower its costs by 15 percent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 5,000 metric tons. That’s the equivalent of removing 1,004 passenger vehicles from the road each year or taking 638 typical homes off the power grid. The purchase, according to Adventist, makes it the largest buyer of green energy among health care providers.
• Facility Renovations and Construction
“All new construction and any rehab are LEED Silver,” says Claudia R. Schreiber, service coordinator for plan operations at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring. The hospital’s new tower will feature a green roof, as will the new LEED Silver hospital Holy Cross is building in Germantown. “Every roof there will be green.”
• Waste Reduction
MedStar North facilities—those in the Baltimore area—prevented the creation of 1,460 tons of methane gas in area landfills last year through its “Craigslist-style recycling programs,”
says Gray.The idea is to find new homes for unwanted equipment and furnishings. At MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore 150 pieces of furniture were repurposed, enough to fully furnish a satellite office, she says. Holy Cross Hospital has begun looking through its waste to see what can be reprocessed or recycled, says Schreiber. “Leg warmers—something normally just tossed into the trash—are now sent out to a regulated company that cleans them and we repurchase them at a different rate.” Holy Cross also recycles. “Batteries are among the most heavily landfilled items,” says Schreiber.“We recycle them.” The hospital also recycles it scrubs, sending them to third world nations.
• Chemical Management
The use of green cleaning products has reduced the exposure of MedStar’s employees to chemicals and lowered the risk of respiratory issues, according to Gray. For cleaning, Holy Cross makes use of an ionizer, which relies solely on water to disinfect. “We’re also working toward using VOC-free paint so that patients aren’t exposed to [potentially toxic] fumes and we don’t have to hold up a room because of paint smells,” says Schreiber.
• Landscaping
MedStar places an emphasis on gardens—“to grow crops, engage patients and support our therapeutic programs,” says Gray. An employeemanaged garden at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore grows vegetables that are donated to local organizations that feed the hungry. The serenity garden at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney sits adjacent to the infusion center. Surrounded by a variety of plant life, the garden’s patio overlooks a waterfall that splashes into a fish pond, an ideal spot for relaxation or reflection.
• Healthy Food
In addition to growing vegetables in its gardens, MedStar has begun serving up healthier foods in its hospitals. A farmers market sets up shop every other week, spring through fall, outside the cafeteria at Holy Cross Hospital. While these innovations often result in cost savings, they are more about providing a healthier environment, agree local hospitals. “Sustainability is innovation in the built environment,” says Gray. “It gives us a new lens to look through in order to solve old problems.”
Maryland Green Travel Links Properties with Travelers Whether you’re a business traveler looking for green lodgings or eats or a hospitality venue looking to attract the eco-minded business traveler, Maryland Green Travel (visitmaryland.org/green) is worth a look. “We promote tourism businesses in Maryland that are taking the initiative to become more sustainable,” says Catherine C. Batavick, manager of Maryland Green Travel. When the program was implemented two years ago it included only lodging properties. After a brief hiatus— during which time Maryland Green Travel revised its application process and added attractions, campgrounds, convention centers, festivals and events, golf courses, marinas, and restaurants, among others—the program was preparing to relaunch at the end of April. Maryland Green Travel is a
voluntary, self-certification program. “The consumer is going to be the evaluator,” says Batavick. “When they visit and the property is not doing what it listed in its profile, there is sure to be feedback.” To apply, tourism businesses must complete an online application, which takes about 30 minutes, according to Batavick. Applicants must verify that they are practicing core environmentally friendly activities relative to their industry sector and provide measurable results. Upon acceptance, businesses are listed on both the Maryland Green Registry and Maryland Green Travel websites. Businesses also are identified as being Maryland Green Travel partners on the official state tourism site, visitmaryland.org, which receives nearly 2 million unique visitors a year. “They’ll get a designation in Destination Maryland, our printed guide, and an eco
icon with AAA, as we feed into their program,” says Batavick. While the list will be helpful to business travelers and to businesses looking for conference sites, it is the green profiles that will provide real insight into a business’ shade of green. “We encourage them to include as much detail as possible about their [green] policies and activities,” says Batavick. Not only will that detail help guide consumers, but it will encourage properties to become greener. “Hotels, for example, will be able to see what’s being done in areas such as water conservation or recycling, then contact other properties to learn more,” says Batavick. “Our goal would be to have an online forum space for properties to talk back and forth to each other.” For some lodging properties, the resumption and expansion of Maryland Green Travel has come none too soon.
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“A lot of business travelers in certain parts of the state are with the federal government or military,” says Batavick, “and they’ve begun to mandate that travelers stay in green properties.” Look for that trend to continue, she says.
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“We’ve been focused on protecting and preserving our environment for some time and it feels great to be recognized for our most recent efforts,” said Congressional Bank CEO John Lane. www.congressionalbank.com
| By Congressional Bank |
In the spring of 2011, Congressional Bank’s Co-founder and CEO John Lane initiated a company-wide challenge to determine and implement ways to “go green” within 45 days—and they did. “We always strive to do the right thing with regard to the environment,” said Lane. “It’s what our loved ones expect.” They banded together and created a steering committee aptly named “Gang Green” whose mission was to “Cut out the waste.” They worked diligently to create a sustainability policy to provide guidance to its recycling and sustainability efforts; evaluated all existing business processes for the possibility of “green” improvement and are selecting
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business development opportunities and event giveaways that are eco-friendly and spread the “going green” message; and promoted the benefits of electronic, paperless banking and eliminated the plastic waste of bottled water or individualized paper-dependent coffee and tea options. They also partnered with Clean Currents, the leading commercial wind power supplier in the mid-Atlantic, to generate enough energy to run all of their Montgomery County branches on 100% wind power. Perhaps most importantly, the employees of Congressional Bank have gained new focus on “green lending,” which entails lending specifically to companies generating
eco-friendly solutions to their customers, increasing jobs and leveraging green practices throughout the community. On June 24, 2011, Congressional Bank was notified that they had become the first area bank to receive the Green Business Certification by Montgomery County. Earning Green Business Certification honored Congressional Bank as part of an innovative leadership movement to “green” business operations and help transition to a sustainable future. Congressional Bank was then honored at the Bethesda Magazine Green Awards Gala on October 5, 2011 as the recipient of the Category 3 Award for
the business that most “significantly incorporated green practices into their culture and operations.” Congressional Bank is also honored to be the newest member of the state of Maryland Green Registry, where they have also been nominated for the MGR Leadership Award. “We’ve been focused on protecting and preserving our environment for some time and it feels great to be recognized for our most recent efforts,” said Lane. “We’re honored to be a part of the Bethesda Green collective effort to improve our community.”
Let the LEAF help you lower your carbon footprint. www.chevychasecars.com
| By Chevy Chase Nissan |
Fueled entirely by electricity, the Nissan LEAF is the quintessential green vehicle. In the same way that leaves purify the air in nature, the LEAF purifies transportation by eliminating emissions from the driving experience. The LEAF is now available to order at Chevy Chase Nissan in Bethesda. This zero-emission vehicle allows you to “fill up” at home, making visits to the local gas station obsolete. Powered by a 24-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the LEAF provides a 100-mile range— perfect for most commuters—for the price of your typical gasoline-fueled car but with operating costs that are significantly lower.
The LEAF’s laminated, compact lithium-ion batteries allow for speeds of up to 90 mph and deliver a 0-60 mph in about eight seconds.The car comes with a 3.3 kw onboard charger, 120-volt portable trickle charging cable and a 240-volt home charging dock. This well-equipped, five-door hatchback seats five adults. To ensure comfort, spaciousness and cargo capacity, the LEAF sports a new chassis and body design. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are just two of the many standard features that typically are only found on more expensive cars. Its advanced IT system—connected to a global data center—provides support, information and entertainment 24/7.
The LEAF’s exterior features exceptional styling and functionality. Its aerodynamic design includes specifically crafted LED headlights and underbody and rear diffuser. Other features include front UV-reducing solar glass, a photovoltaic solar panel rear spoiler, remote-charge door release and one-touch rear hatch release. From its four-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes to its four-wheel anti-lock braking system, the LEAF provides the power to stop when you need it. The car’s suspension and steering system include independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar, torsion bar rear axle with
integrated stabilizer bar, and vehiclespeed-sensitive electric power steering. Currently there is a federal tax credit of $7,500 available to purchasers of plugin electric vehicles. Additionally, there are other federal, state and local incentives that can bring down the cost of a new Nissan LEAF by more than $10,000. For some consumers, the Nissan LEAF will be the perfect match, the only car necessary. For others, it will be an ecological addition to the family, ideal for the daily commute or running errands around town. Let the LEAF help you lower your carbon footprint. Stop by Chevy Chase Cars today or visit them on the web at www.chevychasecars.com.
“We make friends through sales... and keep them through service!”
7701 Wisconsin Avenue • Bethesda, Maryland • 301-657-4000
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Car Charging Sites Proliferate in Maryland What began in Maryland’s largest cities has spread to its suburbs and towns. Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are springing up across the state from Lusby to Hagerstown and Perry Point to Indian Head. In 2011, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) spent nearly $600,000 to install more than 80 charging stations throughout the state. That brings the total number of stations in the state to more than 120, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), giving owners of the 200-plus plug-in vehicles registered in Maryland ample opportunity to reenergize their batteries. Many charging stations are located in garages, as electric vehicles need significantly more time to “fill up” than gasoline powered cars. Charging stations come in three levels. The higher the level, the faster the car charges. For example, Nissan reports that a depleted battery in its electric vehicle, the LEAF, needs about 20 hours at 110-120 volts, approximately seven hours at 208-240 volts and only 30 minutes at 480 volts to charge completely. Hourly rates for charging plug-in vehicles vary. At some locations, the service is offered without charge, as an amenity. At other locales, depending on the level of the charge, plugging in for an hour can run from $1-$4. According to the MEA, charging an electric vehicle costs the equivalent of about $1 per gallon of gas. The DOE’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center tracks the location of EV charging stations and makes the information available on its website (www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/electricity_lo cations.html). AAA uses that data to help its members
locate places to plug in. Its TripTik Mobile app provides a station’s address, hours, charger levels and contact information so that users can check availability. EV charging-station data is offered via the Internet and mobile apps by several other organizations, such as CarStations.com and ChargePoint.net (a group of privately owned charging stations). Maryland, along with 10 other states and the District of Columbia, has formed the Northeast Electric Vehicle Network. Supported by a $1 million DOE grant, the network will accelerate the introduction of electric vehicle charging stations along the northeast corridor, allowing EV owners to venture farther from home. President Barack Obama has called for 1 million plug-in vehicles to be on the streets nationwide by 2015. The Northeast Electric Vehicle Network intends to account for 200,000 of those.
President Barack Obama has called for 1 million plug-in vehicles to be on the streets nationwide by 2015.
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Wind Withers in Maryland General Assembly Supporters Vow to Resurrect Offshore Wind Legislation
“The bill died having nothing to do with wind power and that’s heartbreaking,” says Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Politics is not always about the merit of the legislation.” With seemingly widespread support among lawmakers and polls showing nearly two-thirds of Marylanders favoring wind power, the Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 appeared to be on its way to approval in the final days of the most recent General Assembly session. The bill passed the House of Delegates, 88-47, but never made it to the senate floor. Had it done so, the votes were there for passage, according to Tidwell. “We couldn’t get the bill out of the Senate Finance Committee,” says Tidwell. In the end, Sen. Anthony
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Muse, D-Prince George’s County, broke a 5-5 tie to defeat the legislation. His vote “seems to have had nothing to do with the bill but rather some political grudges within the committee.” The bill would have incentivized the development of up to 500 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity at least 10 nautical miles off Maryland’s coast, according to the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). The agency notes that a project large enough to produce 310 MW would require the installation of between 50 and 100 wind turbines. A 310 MW project would supply enough electricity to power half the homes on the state’s Eastern Shore or more than a third of the homes in Baltimore City. In February, the federal government
OK’d 80,000 acres of the Outer Continental Shelf for leasing. The area, notes MEA, can ultimately support up to 1,000 MW of wind energy production, about double what was under consideration in the General Assembly. The legislation was pitched as an employment generator—some 1,300 manufacturing and construction jobs for five years and an additional 250 supply and operations-and-management jobs thereafter, according to MEA. “As passed in the house, the bill included dedicated support for minority business involved in offshore wind of up to $100 million,” says Tidwell. He is convinced that Gov. Martin O’Malley will bring back the bill next year, if not sooner. “Anything can happen in a special session,” says Tidwell.
“The bill died having nothing to do with wind power and that’s heartbreaking” - Mike Tidwell, director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
“We will figure out a pathway to victory,” he says, noting that the marriage equality bill, passed in February, “was a few votes short last year. Big, paradigmshifting bills take a while to pass….We’ll come back next year with an even bigger bill—more megawatts to make up for what we missed this year—and win.”
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www.marriott.com
Marriott has created a portfolio of innovative conservation initiatives to help address some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
Throughout the year, Marriott headquarters hosts educational events for its associates, such as a lunch-and-learn about sustainable agriculture and the red carpet premiere of “Shark Loves the Amazon,” a documentary about the history of Amazon deforestation and preservation, featuring Marriott's Juma Reserve as a model for the future.
| By Marriott International, Inc. |
With more than 3,700 hotels in cities of all sizes, along beautiful shorelines, and in biodiverse and culturally significant sites around the world, Marriott International, Inc., sees sustainability as a critical responsibility. The company formed an Executive Green Council in 2007 to catalyze sustainability beyond water and energy conservation and collaborated with Conservation International, a global environmental NGO, to set the following goals: Marriott’s Spirit to Preserve® Goals: • Further reduce energy & water consumption 20% by 2020 • Empower our hotel development partners to build green hotels • Green our multibillion dollar supply chain • Educate and inspire associates and guests to conserve and preserve • Address environmental challenges through innovative conservation initiatives including rainforest protection and water conservation. In our hotels…from Maryland to Mumbai The company is on track to achieve its 20 percent energy and water reduction goal. Our most recent results show Marriott has reduced its energy consumption by 20 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 10.7 percent and water consumption by 18.9 percent in the last two years. Marriott has nearly 90 hotels across all brands that are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certified or registered by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Inn and Conference Center by Marriott at the University of Maryland in College Park was the first hotel and conference center to receive LEED certification in the U.S. LEED certification provides independent, thirdparty verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. LEED-certified buildings reduce waste sent to landfills; conserve energy and water; are healthier and safer for occupants; and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The company also helped design and now offers a pre-certified LEED prototype for five of its brands— Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites. This prototype saves
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Around the world…from the Amazon Rainforest to Asia’s Water Tower Marriott International's Global Headquarters: LEED Existing Building Gold
Marriott’s hotel owners an average of $100,000 in development costs, six months in design time, and up to 25 percent energy and water savings. More than 30 Marriott associates are LEEDaccredited architects and engineers. Marriott is also engaging our top suppliers to provide more sustainable products for our guests, from key cards, carpeting and Eco-Smart™ pillows made from recycled materials to towels that save 6 million gallons of water from manufacturer to guestroom. This reduces our direct environmental impact and offers our guests and associates a more eco-sensitive experience. Marriott’s FutureFish sustainable seafood initiative addresses the depletion of seafood stocks and endangered fish species from the Chesapeake Bay to the world’s fresh waters and oceans. FutureFish is a sustainable seafood initiative developed by Marriott’s corporate culinary team that complements our executive chefs’ locally grown and organic menu offerings. At our Global Headquarters in Bethesda Marriott’s 32-year-old global headquarters building in Bethesda secured LEED Existing Building Gold status in 2010. With the help of more than 30 Marriott headquarters green champions who help drive sustainable practices in the building and beyond, the Marriott headquarters recycling rate is at 75 percent and we are continuing to divert all waste from a landfill to a waste-to-energy plant. We anticipate a further reduction in electricity use in 2012 as a result of new LED parking lot lights that were installed at the end of 2011, and additional LED lights that will be installed shortly. The headquarters gas pumps were also recently replaced with bike racks and storage, and we will be one of the official Bike to Work Day 2012 pit stops.
Marriott has created a portfolio of innovative conservation initiatives to help address some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Marriott has donated more than $2 million to protect and preserve 1.4 million acres of this endangered rainforest Amazon rainforest in Brazil— known as the Juma Sustainable Development Reserve—in order to prevent its deforestation and the subsequent release of 189 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The Amazon rainforest contributes to the distribution of rain in the entire southeastern area of South America, as well as Central and North America, and also helps moderate temperatures. In China, Marriott is helping to safeguard fresh water.The company invested $500,000 over two years to support a vital water conservation program that helps protect the largest source of freshwater on the planet. The Asia Water Tower provides freshwater to over 2 billion people and feeds the Yellow,Yangtze and Ganges Rivers. Both programs help provide employment, education and well-being benefits to the local communities. Marriott believes its commitment to social responsibility contributes to its growth and development, as well as the company’s culture. For the 12th consecutive year, Marriott was ranked by Fortune as the lodging industry’s most admired company. “We are tremendously appreciative of this recognition, and I am especially proud of how we ranked worldwide across several key categories: ninth in deployment of corporate assets, 16th in managing our people and 21st in social responsibility,” said J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO. “These are significant achievements and a true testament to how hard we work to open doors to a world of opportunity for our associates, customers, owners, investors and our communities.”
Marriott’s Global Headquarters in Bethesda received the US Green Building Council’s LEED® Gold Existing Building Certification, Montgomery County’s Green Business Certification and Bethesda Magazine’s Green Award.
We’re proud to call Montgomery County home. “Marriott wants to be a positive force for the environment, and by example, inspire personal action in the communities where we live and work.”
Chairman and CEO
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May 2012 Special Advertising Publication | 15
MONTGOMERY COUNTY RECYCLES
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling www.montgomerycountymd.gov/GoGreen
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services provides numerous programs and resources to assist businesses in their efforts to reduce waste, maximize recycling and encourage the purchase of materials made with recycled content.
BUSINESSES CREATE OPPORTUNITIES BY RECYCLING AND REDUCING WASTE | By Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services |
Recycling and reducing the amount of waste generated at your workplace benefits your business in many ways. Reducing waste and diverting materials for recycling will reduce the amount of waste that must be disposed as trash. Implementing waste reduction initiatives, such as double-sided copying, often result in more efficient operations and reduced costs. And, buying products made with recycledcontent materials closes the recycling loop, thereby creating demand for recyclable materials.This ensures stable markets for those recyclable materials used in the manufacturing of new products. These efforts can reduce the overall cost of solid waste management for your business and shows your employees and customers that you care about the environment. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services provides numerous programs and resources to assist businesses in their efforts to reduce waste, maximize recycling and encourage the purchase of materials made with recycled content. Take advantage of these resources to “green” your business. Maximize Recycling. Recycling is the law in Montgomery County. All businesses, regardless of the size or type of business, are required to recycle the following materials: • Mixed paper (including cardboard, white and colored office and printing paper, magazines, newspapers and inserts, mail and envelopes, paperback and hardcover books, shredded paper, milk and juice cartons, juice and drink
16 | Gone Green
boxes, wax-coated cardboard, frozen food and ice cream containers, and paper beverage cups) • Commingled materials (glass bottles and jars; aluminum cans and foil products; bi-metal steel/tin cans; empty non-hazardous aerosol cans; and plastic bottles, containers, jars, tubs, caps, lids, pails, buckets and flower pots) • Scrap metal (appliances and other metal items such as metal office furniture, wiring, fences and building materials) • Christmas trees and yard trim (grass, leaves, brush and garden trimmings) Make Recycling Convenient. Make recycling as convenient as possible by placing recycling containers next to all trash containers for both employees and customers. Educate, Educate and Educate. Provide frequent reminders about your recycling program to all employees. Post flyers and posters around your workplace. Include recycling awareness in new employee orientation materials and sessions. Reduce Waste. Businesses in Montgomery County generate more than half of all solid waste generated in the county and are integral to the county’s effort to reduce waste and maximize recycling achievement. • Examine your waste stream by conducting a waste audit and identify the types and quantities of materials being generated. Ask employees for their feedback to redesign operations that reduce waste. For example, send required notices for employees via email or print only one copy and post it in a common area for employees to read, instead of printing copies for distribution to every employee.
• Reduce the toxicity of operations and reduce the costs associated with handling and disposing of hazardous waste. Does your business generate wastes having one of the following properties: reactive, ignitable, combustible, toxic, and/or corrosive? Does your business generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous materials per month and less than 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous waste per month? If so, consider joining Montgomery County’s ECOWISE program. ECOWISE is open to all Montgomery County businesses that are considered small quantity generators. Businesses that meet these criteria can register as a participant and are provided with a low cost bulk rate and convenient method for safely disposing of hazardous waste one day a month at the Montgomery County Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station located at 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood. There is no complicated paperwork or manifesting required. Some of the common types of hazardous materials generated by businesses that are acceptable in this program include: mercury, oil-based paints, fuels, pesticides, solvents and much more. Fluorescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent lights are universal wastes and can be brought in at any time by businesses for a small fee. Buy Recycled. Close the recycling loop by purchasing products made with recycled materials. Buying products made with recycled materials keeps recycling viable—it creates demand and longterm, stable markets for recyclable materials which can ultimately reduce
Reducing waste, recycling and buying recycled-content products are opportunities to green your workplace. the consumer prices of these products. Manufacturing goods from recycled materials also reduces the need to use virgin raw materials and saves energy during the manufacturing process— thereby decreasing air and water pollution. Some common products available on the market that are made with recycled materials include: • Carpeting, recycling and trash containers, and clothing made from recycled plastic bottles and containers • Glass jars and countertops made from recycled glass bottles and jars • Copier, tissue and towel paper made from recycled paper • Alternative building materials made from plastic bags and wood Reducing waste, recycling and buying recycled-content products are opportunities to green your workplace. For more information about Montgomery County’s recycling and waste reduction programs for businesses, contact the Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov /recycling or www.montgomerycounty md.gov/GoGreen, or call 311, 240-7770311 or Maryland Relay 711.
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May 2012 Special Advertising Publication | 17
Green Regulations: Job Generators or Eradicators? Debunking the Job Killer Myth
Tight economic times and pressing environmental needs have led one Maryland nonprofit to remind state residents that “environmental regulations are falsely accused of being job killers,” says Alison Prost, Maryland executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). With several bay-related pieces of legislation before the
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“If history is any guide, regulations that reduce pollution will create jobs, strengthen local economies, and restore the health of our national treasure.” -William C. Baker, CBF president
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18 | Gone Green
Maryland General Assembly in its last session, CBF released a study—Debunking the “Job Killer” Myth: How Pollution Limits Encourage Jobs in the Chesapeake Bay Region—showing that during economic downturns, environmental regulations actually stimulate job growth while creating a healthier atmosphere for residents. Such is the case with the new storm water bill passed in the final minutes of the General Assembly’s most recent session, says Prost. The legislation requires 10 jurisdictions to implement fees to raise money for storm water cleanup. Roughly $6.3 billion is needed to meet a 2025 federal pollution control mandate. Baltimore City—along with Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Mont-gomery and Prince George's counties—would use the funds to reduce polluted runoff from streets, parking lots and buildings that finds its way into the Chesapeake Bay. Montgomery would be largely exempt, as it has adopted a local runoff fee. “While some people will initially balk at the cost, we know that jobs will be created,” says Prost. “Montgomery County believes they’ll create 3,300 construction and engineering jobs. In Prince George’s County, this fee will help create 2,600 jobs
in storm-water pollution control….And, ultimately, all the people of Maryland will benefit from improved water quality.” The CBF report provides historical perspective on the relationship between jobs and environmental regulation. CBF notes that, “Since the passage of federal clean water and air laws in the 1970s, a burgeoning new industry has sprouted that creates jobs and stimulates the economy through pollution reduction, including improvements to sewage and power plants. This environmental industry is now worth $312 billion a year nationally and employs almost 1.7 million people.” Roughly 75 percent of that job growth has been driven by government regulation, according to the report. While CBF claims it is too early to be specific about the number of jobs that will be created by bay pollution limits, the nonprofit points to projections by the Economic Policy Institute that show storm water projects could provide 178,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the region over the next five years. “If history is any guide, regulations that reduce pollution will create jobs, strengthen local economies, and restore the health of our national treasure,” says William C. Baker, CBF president.
Green Business Certification Program Montgomery County Maryland
Many thanks to Montgomery County’s Certified Green Businesses!! They have demonstrated environmental stewardship by taking actions that conserve natural resources, reduce waste and pollution and promote the transition to a sustainable economy. So if you’re looking to do business with a Certified Green Business, please consider the following: • AIS Engineering, Inc. • All Eco Center • Berlin, Ramos & Co, P.A. • Bethesda Green • Building Maintenance Systems, Inc. • Calvert Group, Ltd. • Carbon Fund.org • Center for a New American Dream • Clean Currents, LLC • Congregation Beth El • Congressional Bank, Bethesda HQs • Congressional Bank, Potomac Branch • Congressional Bank, Rockville Branch • DMS International • Goodwill Industries International • Greenavise, LLC • Hallman Orthodontics • Honest Tea • Innovative Business Interiors, Inc. • Lockheed Martin, Rockville Facility
• Marriott International, Inc. • The Maven Group • Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce • NewTower Trust Company • Oudens Knoop Knoop + Sachs Architects • Pepco Rockville Service Center • Radius Technology Group, Inc. • Reznick Group • Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. • Smart Techs • Snyder Cohn, PC • Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. • Solid Waste Association of North America • URS Corporation • Wildlife Habitat Council
Program Overview:
Join the Club:
The Green Business Certification Program is a voluntary program designed to help businesses go above and beyond basic measures to reduce their ecological footprint. Earning Green Business Certification indicates that a business is part of an innovative leadership movement to green their day to day operations
See our website and apply at http://mcgreenbiz.org
Program Benefits: • Enhanced reputation
Training Opportunities with Montgomery College:
Contact us at (240) 777-7775 or douglas.weisburger@montgomerycountymd.gov
Program Partners: • Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection • Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce • Montgomery College
• Alignment of operations with values
Congressional Bank
Questions:
• Boost recruitment and retention
• Onsite guidance and verification
Barbara Ashe, Executive Vice President, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce with County Executive Isiah Leggett and Councilmember Nancy Floreen
Green Business Certification Crash Course -- Three hour primer on green business fundamentals and the certification process
• Competitive advantage • Cost savings
Goodwill Industries International
Congregation Beth El 1847293
May 2012 Special Advertising Publication | 19
It Takes More than Green to Differentiate a Business Social Responsibility Helps Build Brands
“Five years ago saying, ‘We recycle’ was progressive. But not now....To differentiate yourself, you need a culture and purpose,” says Ida Cheinman, principal and creative director of Substance151, a Baltimore-based strategic brand communications firm. “Being socially responsible, environmentally conscious and profitable is the new survival strategy for the 21st century,” says Cheinman. And the companies that will be most successful are those that “realize that the sustainability message is not separate or distinct. To be authentic, it needs to be rolled into the overall brand effort.” People want to do business with companies they perceive as holding values aligned with their own, notes Cheinman. “It’s essential to build a connection with your audience— whether you’re in the B2B or B2C industry,” she says. “Consumers and
“Data shows that sustainable companies ultimately do better and that fact is not lost on investors” -Ida Cheinman, principal and creative director, Substance151
business leaders appreciate when the values they try to create and teach their children are embedded in the decision making of the companies they do business with.” Socially, environmentally and financially responsible businesses have a leg up in when it comes to business development. “Federal, state and county governments, as well as large corporations, are trying to green their supply chain,” says Cheinman. Funders also are interested in
sustainability. “Data shows that sustainable companies ultimately do better and that fact is not lost on investors,” she says. The same holds true for employee recruitment. Cheinman notes that more than 60 percent of millennials—“the mystery generation”—view employer corporate citizenship as important. “They appreciate days off for community involvement and an employer’s support of charities,” she says. For companies that have integrated sustainability into their mission, business strategy, operation process and employee engagement programs, Cheinman suggests they tell their story. “Not what you do but why you do it,” she says. “That deepens your connection with you audience.” As a sustainable company, “it’s important to communicate in an environmentally responsible manner,” she says. “Use social media to the extent
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possible and, when you need to print, use responsible paper and printers. You can’t just say you’re responsible and sustainable and then send out an enormous glossy brochure.You’ve got to walk the talk.”
Eliminating the Waste in Waste Collection www.costefficiencies.com • The BigBelly System will reduce collection frequency by 80%, freeing up resources, slashing fuel costs and increasing recycling opportunities. • The BigBelly System Uses Solar Power & Information technology for real-time data to create dramatic efficiencies. • Compacting Waste & Recycling for Cities, Campuses & Communities. • Truly Sustainable -- both environmentally and economically.
Mandy Lippman
A BigBelly Solar Distributor in MD, DC & VA
Office: 301.770.2007 Cell: 301.770.0898
www.costefficiencies.com • mandylippman@gmail.com
20 | Gone Green
| By Environmental Cost Efficiencies, Inc. |
Businesses looking to reduce the costs associated with waste reduction routinely turn to Environmental Cost Efficiencies. A woman-owned firm, Environmental Cost Efficiencies employs the BigBelly Solar® waste and recycling system to help clients save as much as 80 percent annually. BigBelly® Solar is changing the face of solid waste management with the world's first and only on-site solarpowered trash compaction systems. Cheaper than collection, compaction reduces waste collection frequency, lowers costs and ensures a cleaner greener environment. Determining if a BigBelly Solar® system is right for your business is easy. With just a few simple inputs, you can quickly gauge the approximate savings you might realize with the BigBelly®
Solar system. Even better, Environmental Cost Efficiencies’ free, noobligation, custom savings analysis provides a precise gauge. BigBelly Solar® is an excellent fit for municipalities large and small, business improvement districts, government and academic campuses, and the private sector. Local clients include the National Institutes of Health, Rosslyn Business Improvement District, U.S. Department of Defense, The American University and The JBG Companies. What has separated Environmental Cost Efficiencies from other waste reduction providers since our founding in 2007 is our emphasis on value. We understand your needs and deliver a customized solution. Environmental Cost Efficiencies doesn’t try to be all things to all people.We focus on a select group of clients and provide service that cannot be found anywhere else.
Benefit Corporations Embrace People, Planet, Profits Two years after Maryland became the first state in the nation to establish a new corporate entity—one that exists to create both social and economic value— the benefit corporation movement is beginning to take root. Today there are more than 20 such corporations in the state and six other states have followed Maryland’s lead. “There’s a real hunger in the business community to do well and do good at the same time and an appetite in the public for businesses that have a public ethos as well as a private one,” says state Sen. Jamie B. Raskin, D-Montgomery County. Raskin, who sponsored the benefit corporation legislation, describes these innovative businesses as “private, for-profit enterprises that build into their DNA a public mission alongside a money-making mission.” The law allows businesses—both new and existing—to commit to a specific public good. Unlike traditional companies, which have a fiduciary responsibility to maximize shareholder profits, benefit corporations may consider other stakeholders— employees, customers, communities as well as the environment—when making business decisions, says Melissa Carrier, executive director of the Center for Social Value Creation at the University of Maryland, College Park. Carrier offers the example of a manufacturing company that wants to invest in a piece of equipment that would reduce its carbon footprint. The difference is that with the more environmentally sensitive piece of equipment “the payout is 10 years when normally it would need to be three years. As a benefit corporation, there’s no need to worry about shareholders saying,
act.We’re in the early stages of that transformation.” To ensure that benefit corporations are doing more than just talking the talk, the new law requires that they publish a benefit report, utilizing objective standards, at the end of each fiscal year explaining how they has advanced the public good. Some companies use an independent evaluator, such as the Pennsylvania-based B Lab, to assess their corporate, social and environmental performance.
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‘You’re not acting in our interest,’” she says. Raskin points to the ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry’s. “Here’s a green, progressive, enlightened company that gets taken over by another corporation with different values because the target feels it needs to accept the highest bidder as opposed to the bidder with the highest ethics,” he says. While Carrier believes it is possible to impart social value as a traditional corporation—think Honest Tea and Clean Currents—“I support the initiative around benefit corporations as its moving the conversation in the right direction,” she says. Still, she believes it will take another decade before the integration of environmental and social issues is more commonplace. “There’s a generational shift that is just beginning. Young employees are moving up the ranks and taking on decision-making roles. For them, the creation of social value is part and parcel of how they think and
As these reports and evaluations begin to document the impact of benefit corporations, Raskin predicts the numbers of such companies will grow. “I think we’ll get to the point in the not-toodistant future where people will say, ‘Why aren’t you a benefit corporation?’”
If benefit corporations are going to gain a foothold in Maryland, Carrier believes the state needs to look at incentives “to get firms on the fence to recognize the value,” she says. In late March, the General Assembly approved enabling legislation that would allow Montgomery County to grant property tax credits to benefit corporations and benefit limited liability companies. “Montgomery County is so ahead of the game in thinking about this, recognizing that these are the kind of companies they want in the community.” Raskin expects that mind-set to expand and other counties and municipalities to follow suit. “I believe we will eventually get to a point where the majority of corporations are benefit companies and identify a public good beyond money making as a basic purpose. That could be,” he says, “the next big transformation in American business capitalism.”
Fenton Street Market Gives Back Silver Spring Benefit Corporation Supports Entrepreneurs, Builds Community It’s a feast for the senses each Saturday from May to October at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring.The sights, smells and sounds of the bustling Fenton Street Market (FSM) embrace those who come to shop, meet up with neighbors or take in a local musical act. Founded and managed by a group of Silver Spring residents, FSM invigorates the local economy by providing a venue for locally owned businesses to sell quality crafts, imported goods, antiques and other unique products. Its status as a benefit corporation makes “it one of a handful of visionary businesses that seek to create positive social change as part of their bottom line,” notes FSM’s website (www.fentonstreetmarket.com). Co-owned by Hannah McCann and Megan Moriarty, FSM has been fully operational since 2010 when it set up
shop in a parking lot slated for redevelopment. Last year, in its current location at Veterans Plaza, “the market attracted 75,000 customers who visited 400 different vendors and spent $1.4 million, of which 6 percent went to taxes,” says Moriarty. Although it’s a for-profit company, FSM focuses heavily on community building. “We connect vendors to consumers in their own backyard. And, while they’re at the market, they mingle and get to know each other.The market actives the public space in a way that promotes community not just commerce,” she says. FSM’s youth employment program helps teens develop job skills and build résumés. “We employ area youth as porters, helping us set up in the morning and clean up in the afternoon, and as youth ambassadors for the market,” says Moriarty.
The market also offers free space to area nonprofits. “There are usually two available each week on an as-available basis,” she says. FSM is dedicated to supporting its network of diverse entrepreneurs through education, connections to resources and business development. It is the entrepreneurial nature of those they support that led McCann and Moriarty to incorporate FSM as a benefit corporation. “They are running businesses and we felt it was important that we do the same, to have similar experiences and be in a similar situation,” says Moriarty. “But, our mission didn’t lend itself to our being a traditional corporation. When the possibility [of becoming a benefit corporation] arose, we thought it made sense. It allowed us to build things into our business plan that might not have made sense to shareholders but made
sense to us in terms of building a vibrant community in Silver Spring.” It also allows FSM to operate more sustainably. “We’re a paperless organization. We run everything on the cloud,” says Moriarty. “We rely heavily on social media—we have a YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Twitter— as opposed to print media. And, our screen printed T-shirts are reused.” The market is focused on attracting green vendors, “particularly those doing reused or recycled things. Creative reuse is an interest of ours,” says Moriarty noting that FSM has included used book and bicycle vendors. “I see our efforts to create a more vibrant local economy as a step toward sustainability. We’re connecting local entrepreneurs to local customers rather than having goods flying around the country,” she says. “The idea behind the market is a green one.”
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Website Links Residents with Green Resources MyGreenMontgomery.org Simplifies Sustainability “Most people would prefer to make day-to-day choices that are best for the environment but they may not know how to do that or think it is too difficult,” says Bob Hoyt, director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. To help consumers make the greenest decisions possible, the county launched MyGreenMontgomery.org in January. “The website brings together, in one place, essential information to give residents the tools they need to make green changes in
their everyday lives, sometimes in ways that will actually save them money, and presents it in a simple and fun way,” he says. MyGreen Montgomery.org has several categories of information, such as Green Projects, Incentives and Programs, and My Community. The Green Projects page helps residents understand their water and electricity usage, explore the types of trees best suited to reduce home energy use, reduce junk mail, and find nearby farmers market. Rebates, tax credits, and a variety of consumer freebies are listed under Incentives and Programs while green resources, upcoming events and local success stories are posted under My Community. Designed to be interactive, the website will use social media to connect to local community groups and keep information current and responsive in real time.
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Maryland by the Numbers
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66 million kilowatt-hours of electricity generated by green
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power at the University of Maryland, College Park (January 2012)
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8,000 solar panels at FedEx Field. The largest solar installation
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in the NFL can provide 20 percent of the power on game days.
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202 electric vehicles registered in the state (January 2012) 123 electric vehicle charging stations in Maryland (April 2012)
“The website brings together, in one place, essential information to give residents the tools they need to make green changes in their everyday lives...” -Bob Hoyt
10 Maryland’s ranking on the 2011 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, produced by the American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy 2.07 square feet of LEED-certified commercial/institutional space per person in Maryland in 2011
2 Maryland municipalities (Brookeville and Rockville) in the top 10 of the U.S. EPA’s 2011 Green Power Community Challenge.
116 percent of total campus electricity use generated by green power at St. Mary’s College (January 2012).
Innovative Businesses
A Special Advertising Publication Publishing June 1, 2012 Innovative People Supported by Innovative Leaders in an Innovative Culture Promotes Creativity, Learning, Research and Development. Please join The Gazette of Politics and Business, in cooperation with the Frederick and Montgomery County Departments of Economic Development as we provide a unique opportunity to highlight Maryland businesses which are recognized as being innovative. One mission of the Departments of Economic Development is to support the development of emerging companies that have the potential to create jobs and bring new innovative products to the market.
Editorial content will center around various innovative companies and the future business development of Montgomery and Frederick county. The Innovative Businesses publication publishes June 1, 2012. If you are an innovative business or support or tailor to innovative businesses in any way - tell us about it. Contact Terry Tillman, Advertising Director at 301-670-2084 today! 1847315
Contact Terry Tillman, Advertising Director at 301-670-2084 or ttillman@gazette.net by May 9th for details. 22 | Gone Green
Whether working on a major facility or small home, Solar Energy World tailors its installations to meet the unique needs of each property owner and to maximize savings. www.solarEworld.com
SOLAR ENERGY WORLD
Maryland firm supports region’s green-energy economy, offers major cost savings | By Alice Benson, S.E.W., LLC |
Dedicated to providing clean, green energy, Solar Energy World has been helping businesses and homeowners in the mid-Atlantic reap significant cost savings while moving closer to energy independence. This Elkridge-based firm is a leading provider and installer of solar panel systems and solar hot water systems. Since its establishment in 2009, Solar EnergyWorld has seen its revenues grow from $1 million to nearly $25 million. It is the region’s fastest-growing solar installation company. The company’s outstanding customer service is key to its success. “Solar Energy World’s installation team has more than 74 years of combined experience in roofing and electric,” says Tope Lala, one of the firm’s founders and owners. “We employ local, full-time, fully certified and trained installers rather than hiring independent subcontractors, so every customer receives the highest level of expertise and customer service regardless of the size of the installation.” Solar EnergyWorld not only uses the highest quality materials but provides turnkey service from start to finish. “Our financial specialists take care of all the paperwork including applying for grants, tax credits and other incentives. We also deal with our customers’ utilities providers. Our goal is to make the whole process very easy,” says Lala. Solar Energy World is the company of choice for hundreds of satisfied customers.Whether working on a major facility or small home, Solar Energy World tailors its installations to meet the unique needs of each property owner and to maximize savings. Soccer Dome, Maryland’s premier indoor sports facility, will reduce the energy footprint of its Harmans facility by 85 percent and cut its electricity use
Founders: Geoff Mirkin (left), Tope Lala (middle), Al Gleeson (right)
similarly with a solar array and interactive photovoltaic system. The system will produce approximately 130,000 kilowatthours of clean electricity annually, equivalent to eliminating the emissions of nearly 18 cars or the electricity used by roughly a dozen homes per year. The panels, installed by Solar Energy World, will produce electricity year-round. In summer, when the system produces more electricity than Soccer Dome needs, the sports complex will sell the excess electricity to Baltimore Gas and Electric. “It’s a real win-win situation,” says Geoff Mirkin, Solar Energy World vice president. “More forward-thinking businesses and organizations, like Soccer Dome, are finding they can cut costs and enhance the return on investment of their buildings.” The system was paid for in part with a $117,308 federal energy tax credit, a $2,300 Maryland Clean Energy tax credit, and a $50,000 Maryland MidSize Solar grant. When Frank Difatta, owner of Belisimos Italian Restaurant in Carroll County, decided it was time to reduce the eatery’s operating expenses and
carbon footprint, he turned to Solar Energy World. He needed an innovative and forward-thinking solution and Solar Energy World responded in kind. Construction began on Jan. 2. Five days later, Solar Energy World finished installation of nearly 3,740 square feet of solar panels on the restaurant’s roof. Difatta now stands to save $35,000 per year and generate a strong return on investment year after year. “We provide discerning homeowners and business owners, like Frank, with quality work coupled with an easy process, says Laureen Peck, Solar Energy World’s vice president of marketing. “In addition to dealing with the utilities’ paperwork and procedures, we ensure that all of our installations are done by actual Solar Energy World employees who take pride in their work.” High energy prices, concern over global warming and a desire to achieve energy independence persuaded the Blackwell family of Bowie that it was time for a change. A home energy audit recommended they install ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent lights, unplug energy draining
appliances, use a power strip to easily turn off electronics when not in use, as well as other energy-saving initiatives. But, it wasn’t enough for the Blackwells, whose annual electricity costs exceeded $7,500. Solar Energy World’s solar analysis convinced the Blackwells that it would pay to go solar. The family opted for a 10.32kw solar electric system that includes 48 215-watt ground-mounted panels. After various tax credits, the Blackwells expect the $74,450 solarpanel system to cost them $39,573. Powering up the Blackwell solar panel system reduced the family’s carbon footprint, with a carbon offset of 865 pounds. Over a 10-day period, the offset is equivalent to planting 10 trees, saving 45 gallons of gas and taking 26 cars off the road for a day. “I love my solar energy system,” says Mrs. Blackwell. “Besides having a warm fuzzy feeling when I think about going green, there are so many benefits to homeowners that it almost seems ridiculous not to look into solar energy.”
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